To Love a Were

NB: Thank you to Wildheartedangel for taking the time to edit this chapter! Chapter 9's going to take longer so be patient.

So for now, here's Chapter 8. I hope you all enjoy reading this one!

***

"I'm so thankful that breastfeeding and all that running around after the pups has made me lose weight!" exclaimed Pearl.

"Wait... they're only three months old!" protested Sydney.

"Not when you're part wolf," she explained slowly. "Wolf pups learn how to crawl within weeks and by three months, they can walk and run. It just takes them a little more time to learn how to talk in complete sentences."

"That's amazing! But if you want to fit into that size eight you're holding, it's going to take a bit more working out, girlfriend," said Sydney as she took the dress from Pearl's hands.

"I'm already getting my nightly exercises. That's exhausting enough." The two women laughed before noticing that Fiona had turned away from them; blushing to her roots.

"You're making her blush Pearl!" laughed Sydney, holding on to Fiona's arms. "Alright sweetie, why don't you go and put this dress on? It's much too small for Pearl but I think you can fit in it."

Fiona took the dress from Sydney and scrunched her face. She had never worn a strapless dress before.

"Uh Sydney?" she whispered. "How do I... you know?"

"Huh?" she replied with a puzzled look before understanding settled in. "Oh! Okay you can take off the straps for now but we'll get you a proper strapless bra later. Or else... you can just go Full Monty," she said with a wink. Fiona managed to a gulp before finding solace in the changing room. She didn't really like the idea of being naked under a dress. In fact she didn't like being naked at all... even if it was with Eian. The thought made her blush again.

As she slipped into the navy blue A-line gown, Fiona thought about what the other two women had talked about and realized that she ached for the level of confidence and maturity that they had. They ooze sexuality, and seemed to know what they were doing with their bodies. Fiona sighed before she stepped out of the changing room.

"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise when she saw Eian sitting down on the sofa outside the changing room. "What are you doing here?" she demanded looking around for her other two companions.

"They're trying on their gowns," he said simply, waving off her question. Fiona rolled her eyes and went to look for Sydney but not before she heard his compliment.

"The dress looks good on you, brings out your eyes."

Fiona smiled at his comment but didn't give him the pleasure of seeing it. She was about to call for Sydney when she came out of a larger changing area wearing just her bridal lingerie.

"Hey Sweetie... you look wonderful! Come help zip me up," she said, gesturing for Fiona to enter the changing area with her. When Fiona stepped into the door, she couldn't help but feel slightly impressed. It looked much more like a mini powder room than a changing room with a dressing table and full length mirrors on every wall.

Fiona tried not to look at Sydney as she wiggled her way into the dress. Are wolves really this unashamed of their nakedness? Well... Sydney wasn't really naked but she was in her lingerie which was the same thing according to Fiona.

"Uh Sydney..." she began hesitantly. "What are you wearing under that dress?" she asked meekly. Sydney looked at Fiona's reflection with her eyebrows raised.

"You mean this bustier?" she asked pointing to the white material inside her strapless dress. "You have to wear things like this because a regular bra won't fit right." Sydney gave a smile as her eyes maintained contact with Fiona's. "Or else... you can just wear it by itself if you want to seduce someone."

At Fiona's shocked expression, Sydney gave a little chuckle.

"Sydney! That's so... so embarrassing!" she protested, trying to hide her reddened cheeks.

"What is? Seduction?" Sydney flung her hair casually as she examined herself in the mirror. "Sweetie, are you telling me that you've been staying under one roof with a man as gorgeous as Eian and you haven't seduced him yet?" she teased, knowing full well that Fiona was blushing to her roots.

"Ah... let's not talk about that," she said, keeping her eyes on the floor as though there was something suddenly interesting on the carpet.

"I'm sorry sweetie, I'm just joking," she said with a kind smile. "He likes you... Nah, like is too tame a word. He adores you. Probably wants babies with you too. Well, at least that's how Dominic behaves towards me so I'm just assuming it's the same with the Alpha."

Fiona was totally lost for words at the moment. What would Sydney think if she told her that she and Eian had already... no, that would be too embarrassing. Besides, he is a Werewolf and she a Vampire- they couldn't procreate even if they wanted to, right?

"Sweetie?" called Sydney, startling her away from her thoughts. "Come, let's find Pearl."

It turned out that Pearl was already waiting for them outside the changing area and was currently in deep conversation with Eian. Sydney however wasn't surprised to see him there.

"Hey Eian! So what do you think?" she asked, pointing to their dresses.

"You look beautiful," he said with a warm smile. "But do you really think she should wear that?"

"Why not?" asked Sydney. "She looks really stunning in it."

"I thought the bridesmaids aren't supposed to look stunning?" he answered with a wry smile. The glance he gave Fiona was not lost on Sydney.

They're just so in love with each other

Who!

Those two! Just look at him. Aww...

"Seriously ladies, I'm right here," said Eian with a straight face.

"I'm so sorry Alpha. I just couldn't help it," laughed Sydney.

"Well then, are we buying the dresses or not?"

If Sydney wasn't looking at him intently, she wouldn't have noticed the amusement in his eyes. He wasn't really bothered with their observation which meant that... she was probably right!

"Uh... well, there's still my sister-in-law but we can get her dress later. I think we can put a deposit for the dresses first then after fitting and last adjustments, we can pay it full," said Sydney, her brain clicking away. "That would mean a down payment of 50% for mine and 30% each for the other three. Oh... wow, that's quite a lot of money."

"Don't worry about it. That's why I'm here. I'm responsible for all of you now so take it as a gift." Eian went up to the sales counter and made the necessary payment.

"I'm not sure I like this..."

"You'll get used to it. Weddings, funerals, hospitalization... basically everything that goes on in the pack is covered by Eian. We do contribute part of our earnings to the pack's upkeep so I guess you can say the pack's paying for our dresses. You can pay Eian back for your dress if you want. He doesn't care if you do or don't." Pearl patted Sydney and the women walked back to the changing room.

"Well...I don't think so," said Fiona softly as they were changing. "He said it's a gift, so it's from him personally."

"You think so?" shouted Pearl from the next room.

"Yeah, I do."

A while later when the women were changed, they gathered outside the boutique.

"Dominic's picking me up. We're going over to my parent's place for the weekend. They don't know about the wedding yet. We'll drop Pearl off at her place first. Do you want me to take Fiona home as well?" asked Sydney, looking out for Dominic's car.

"No, I'll bring her home." Sydney was not surprised to hear such a terse response.

Eian waited until Dominic arrived, making sure Pearl and Sydney were safely on their way before he turned to walk to his car, with Fiona in tow. Fiona noticed that he had chosen to take his sports car today and she wondered if they were going for a long journey. She never really liked sitting in the car but she climbed in nonetheless.

"Would you rather follow them?" he asked once she had buckled up.

"I just don't like this car." Eian quirked an eyebrow but didn't reply her as he shifted into gear.

They drove for about half an hour in silence when she suddenly turned to face him.

"This isn't the way home."

"That depends. Home is where the heart is so we are going home."

Fiona smiled as his hand reached for hers, gently putting it on his lap. She had no idea where she was being taken to but it didn't matter really for she felt safe as long as she was with him.

***

How safe, however, was still questionable for she was gripping his hand tightly as the car approached a strange house. It didn't look like a castle or the houses in the compound. Fiona couldn't help feeling an ounce of dread.

"Are you leaving me again like you did the last time?" The hurt in her voice was unmistakable.

"No I'm not."

Fiona narrowed her eyes at him, not believing him. However the place looked more warm and homely- unlike the cold, harsh exterior of Culzean's castle. As she looked carefully at the building, realization dawned upon her.

"This... this is your house?" she asked, suddenly excited.

"Yes my love. It is actually my summer house. Although the correct term for it is chateau," he replied bringing his car to a stop. "Welcome to my home." His kiss was soft on her lips and surprised her.

She expected guards coming up to them but there were none. It was only when they walked to the front door did she see a man waiting for them.

"Ah, Rousseau... I take it everything is ready for me?" he asked as a greeting to the old man at the door. He was bald and stooped slightly, possibly from age. Fiona thought him as scary until she saw his kind face. He had eyes that were perpetually smiling due to the crow's feet at the sides. She found that rather charming.

"Yes Master Keiran. We have maintained the house as per your instructions," said the man with a bow before he looked up and smiled. "Welcome back Your Grace."

"Don't need to be so formal Rousseau. Please, meet the future Mistress, Lady Fiona," he replied, showing his hand to Fiona. "And this Fiona is my most trusted, head domestic, Rousseau."

"Pleased to meet you Rousseau," said Fiona with a kind smile. She gave a small curtsey much to his surprise.

"Young Mistress bows to Rousseau. It is an honour," he replied.

"Don't get sappy Rousseau. You know I can tell what you're thinking," said Eian casually as he stepped inside. Fiona wasn't sure what he meant but followed in nonetheless.

She was greeted by the sight of twin stairs winding up to the second level. At the end of the open space on the first floor was what looked like the drawing room or perhaps the living room, she wasn't sure. But she liked how the high windows seemed to light the house naturally as well as ventilate it with cool spring air.

"Shall we go upstairs, my Lady?" Fiona gave Eian a questioning look. She could tell he was teasing her but somehow she did not find it odd to be addressed by such a title since they were in his ancestral home.

"Master Keiran, would you like to have dinner at home tonight?" asked Rousseau as they were making their way up. Eian looked down from the staircase and nodded.

"Thank you, Rousseau. I'll be down at six. Tell the kitchen staff not to overdo themselves. It is just I who will eat." Eian smiled and continued climbing up, ignoring the curious look on his domestic.

They continued walking past some other rooms on the second floor until they reached the end of the corridor and Eian opened the door to a beautiful room. There was a fireplace already set and warming up, the drapes had been pulled aside to let in the sun and then there was the bed- it was made and looked inviting to Fiona.

"Why don't you rest for awhile? I know the morning fitting and the long drive is tiring. I'm going to my study for a while so you just stay here for now. I'll have one of the lady attendants set the bath."

Fiona didn't argue. She was indeed tired and as her head touched the pillow, she was lulled softly to sleep.

Meanwhile, Eian was in his study, writing a letter. He was feeling rather archaic at the moment, just from being in his home, and he wanted to do things the old way. His letter was meant to relay his intentions of accepting Culzean's proposal and for them to decide on a wedding date. Eian gave a laugh as he took his old family seal and stamped it on the melted wax to seal the letter. Aramis was going to get a kick just looking at the letter.

Old times indeed.

Eian got up and climbed down to pass the letter personally to Rousseau. He didn't like the idea of the old man climbing up and down the stairs at his age. Despite Eian's persuasion, the old man refused to retire, insisting that he would not rest until he served the very last MacFarlane.

"Master Keiran! You shouldn't have troubled yourself!" he chided as Eian gave him the letter.

"Now Rousseau, I insist that you do not deliver this letter yourself because I know you would if I don't say otherwise. Give it to the page boy and send him on his way."

"Very well Master. I will. Adele tells me that your bath was ready twenty minutes ago. Now hurry along and wash up before dinner time." Eian laughed out loud as Rousseau all but pushed him up the stairs, shooing him away.

When he entered the room, he wasn't surprised to see that she was fast asleep on his bed. She hadn't even taken off her shoes or clothes yet. After stepping out of his own shoes and hanging his shirt by the wall hook, he went to the bed and slowly took off her shoes and eased her out of her jacket.

"Fiona sweetheart... do you really want to sleep in that?" he asked softly as she stirred awake.

"I don't have anything to wear..." she mumbled sleepily. "You... surprise." She was incoherent as she drifted back to sleep. Eian's mouth curved slightly. Did she think he was really going to have nothing for her to wear?

He strode over to the bathroom and walked into the additional walk-in closet that had been installed, as per his instructions, a week ago. It wasn't a difficult task and he had put a bit of pressure on the contractors to rush with the building. As he ran a hand down the polished wood closet, he found the work to his satisfaction.

Eian pressed one of the buttons near the wall and watched as the sliding doors of the cupboards moved sideways to reveal a fully stocked wardrobe. As he fingered the satin and cashmere materials he couldn't help but give a smile. He had good taste, he knew, but he often forgot to ask if she agreed with his taste. Even though she had a temper when it came to doing things her way, she never really put up a fuss about what was being plastered on her body... or so he thinks. She never had a knack for fashion; choosing always to dress in those baggy pants and long sleeved shirts. Designer or not, that style does not suit her.

Eian wondered for a moment if he should secretly burn her sufferable clothes.

"She'll probably burn me to death," he concluded after awhile. Those clothes reminded her of her stay at Culzean's castle. He wouldn't take that away from her.

He walked back to his room, intending to coax her out of her clothes and into the bathtub with him but she was already awake, staring at him intently as he moved closer.

"I know what you're thinking," she said.

"And how is that?"

"Well, I can't exactly see what you're thinking but I can tell by the look in your eyes that you want something from me."

"Is that so? What is it then?"

Fiona narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm not saying it."

"Then your observation is invalid," he said with a laugh. "Now come on. Get out of your clothes."

"See, you did want me to do something."

"Take them off before I tear them off," he said casually with a glint in his eyes. Fiona raised an eyebrow considering the seriousness of his threat. Rolling her eyes, she got off the bed and began to slowly unbutton her blouse.

"No peeking!" she snapped, making sure he was facing the other way as she stripped. Eian didn't need to peek to know when she was fully undressed. He had expected her naked but she was still clad in her undergarments when he turned. Eian found his body responding to the sight of her in her red bra and thong. This must be Sydney's doing- turning her into this sex kitten underneath her clothes.

"I'm still shy when you look at me you know," she said softly as she walked past him. "You've seen many naked women's bodies, so stop looking at me as though you've never seen one."

He barely heard her as she went into the bathroom but he caught the slight bite in her words. She was already in the bathtub when he entered.

"I'm coming in," he announced but she didn't protest when he took off his pants and joined her, snuggling right behind her instead of opposite her. "Doesn't that feel so much better?" he asked, pressing his face on her hair. "Are you angry at me, my little Vampire?"

"No I'm not... okay just a little," she admitted. "I don't like you looking at other naked women."

Eian was so taken aback by her accusation that he was speechless. "What?"

"You know... all those naked women..."

"No I don't know sweetheart. I don't think I understand. The only naked woman I've been with in the past century is you. Don't you believe me?" he asked as he nibbled her ear lightly.

Fiona tried to ignore the slight tingle in her belly from the sensations in her ears.

"I mean all those naked she-wolves."

"You know they can't help it..."

"But still, you can help by not looking at them."

"That's quite difficult seeing that as their Alpha I need to give them instructions, naked or not." His response earned him a sharp jab from her elbow and she rose immediately to try and get out but his hands quickly grabbed her by her hips. Pulling her back down on top of him, he hugged her close, refusing to give in to her struggles.

"Listen to me Fiona," he ordered. "I can look all I want at those women because I do not feel anything for them. I don't feel the need to do this," he said, scooping her breasts in one move. "Or this," he whispered, nibbling her ear and pinching her nipples. "And most importantly, I don't feel this for them." His hips moved suggestively, pressing his hardening manhood against her soft butt. "Do you understand me, my love?"

He felt her struggling stop but she didn't seem to have conceded. "But I am not as confident or as sexy or as anything as them. It's just... maybe a wolf thing and I know I'm not one and that's why I'm not as passionate or as seductive as Sydney or Pearl."

Eian immediately stopped his caressing and pressed her against his back. "Do you want to be a wolf, Fiona?" he asked carefully.

"No I don't," she replied sadly and felt him holding her tighter.

"Then how are you going to mate with me, my love? How are you going to bear me my babies?" He could hear the slight hitch in his voice but he tried to hold it back. He wanted to hear what she had to say without being overwhelmed by his own emotions.

"I was a human once, Eian... and Alaron took that away from me. He turned me into a Vampire and was not sorry for it. Do you know how that made me feel? And if that wasn't enough... I was awakened and turned into a Pureblood against my knowledge or my choice. Do you know how much it hurt to have that blood racing through my veins, keeping me up all night, screaming? And you ask me if I want to be a wolf? Taking in your wolf blood will change me again... and I'm so tired of change Eian. I'm tired... and scared."

Eian relaxed his grip but held her close nonetheless. "I'm sorry sweetheart... I really am. But Fiona my love... taking in my wolf bite is your choice. I don't know what will happen if you take my bite as an inter-species mating has never happened before. That is why I am not forcing you. This is your choice, not someone else's choice and I respect that." he whispered to her even as his wolf howled sadly within him. "I love you Fiona... with all my heart. You were my mate right from the very moment I saw you... I just didn't know it until now," he added before he let her go and stepped out of the bath tub, allowing them both to their own thoughts.